DSL system estimation and parameter recommendation

Abstract

Estimates of a communication system configuration, such as a DSL system, are based on operational data collected from a network element management system, protocol, users and/or the like. The operational data collected from the system can include performance-characterizing operational data that typically is available in an ADSL system via element-management-system protocols. Generated estimates and/or approximations can be used in evaluating system performance and directly or indirectly dictating/requiring changes or recommending improvements in operation by transmitters and/or other parts of the communication system. Data and/or other information may be collected using “internal” means or may be obtained from system elements and components via email and/or other “external” means. The likelihood of a model's accuracy can be based on various data, information and/or indicators of system performance, such as observed normal operational data, test data and/or prompted operational data that shows operating performance based on stimulation signals. One example of such prompted data uses frequency carrier masks to approximate the Hlog of a given channel, including information regarding bridged taps, attenuation, etc.

1. A method of computing the mean-square-error (MSE) noise of a line in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system, the method comprising:
 estimating the Hlog function of the line; 
 obtaining the power spectral density (PSD) function of the line; 
 obtaining the signal to noise ratio (SNR) function of the line; 
 computing the MSE noise by subtracting the SNR from the sum of the PSD and Hlog; and 
 storing or recording the computed MSE noise in a memory. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the SNR function comprises computing a SNR function or collecting a reported SNR function. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the SNR function is computed based on at least one of the following:
 reported past bit distributions; 
 reported current bit distributions; 
 an initial PSD; 
 an Hlog function; or 
 quiet line noise (QLN). 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein obtaining the PSD function comprises estimating a PSD function or collecting a reported PSD function. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein estimating the Hlog function of the line comprises:
 generating a plurality of attenuation data points, wherein each attenuation data point corresponds to a different frequency carrier mask and comprises an attenuation value, further wherein generating a single attenuation data point comprises:
 setting a data-bearing frequency carrier mask; 
 transmitting data using one or more frequencies in the carrier mask; 
 receiving an attenuation value for the transmitted data; and 
 plotting the attenuation value; and 
 
 performing at least one of the following:
 storing at least one of the following:
 each generated attenuation data point; or 
 each plotted attenuation values; or 
 
 
 generating a graphical depiction of the estimated Hlog function based on the plurality of generated attenuation data points. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein estimating the Hlog function of the line comprises:
 prompting the DSL system to generate operational data, wherein prompting the DSL system to generate operational data comprises:
 setting an operational mode for the DSL system based on one or more of the model parameters; and 
 operating the DSL system using the set operational mode to generate the operational data; 
 
 collecting the generated operational data; 
 using the collected operational data to generate one or more model parameter values; and 
 recording or storing one or more of the generated model parameter values in a memory, wherein Hlog is a model parameter. 
 
     
     
       7. A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system estimator for computing the mean-square-error (MSE) noise of a line in a DSL system, the estimator comprising:
 means for obtaining the power spectral density (PSD) function of the line; 
 means for obtaining the signal to noise ratio (SNR) function of the line; 
 estimating means configured to estimate an Hlog function of the line; 
 computing means coupled to the estimating means and configured to compute the MSE noise by subtracting the SNR from the sum of the PSD and the Hlog; and 
 means for storing or recording the computed MSE noise in a memory. 
 
     
     
       8. The DSL system estimator of  claim 7 , wherein the means for obtaining the SNR function further comprises a collecting means configured to collect a directly reported SNR function. 
     
     
       9. The DSL system estimator of  claim 7 , wherein the means for obtaining the SNR function further comprises:
 a computing means configured to compute the SNR based on at least one of the following:
 a reported past bit distribution; 
 a reported current bit distribution; 
 an initial PSD; 
 an Hlog function; or 
 quiet line noise (QLN). 
 
 
     
     
       10. The DSL system estimator of  claim 7 , wherein the means for obtaining the PSD function further comprises an estimating means configured to estimate a PSD function or collecting means configured to collect a reported PSD function. 
     
     
       11. The DSL system estimator of  claim 7 , wherein the estimating means configured to estimate the Hlog function of the line further comprises:
 a means for generating a plurality of attenuation data points, wherein each attenuation data point corresponds to a different frequency carrier mask and comprises an attenuation value, further wherein a means for generating a single attenuation data point comprises:
 means for setting a data-bearing frequency carrier mask; 
 means for transmitting data using one or more frequencies in the carrier mask; 
 means for receiving an attenuation value for the transmitted data; and 
 means for plotting the attenuation value; and 
 
 a means for performing at least one of the following:
 storing at least one of the following:
 each generated attenuation data point; or 
 each plotted attenuation values; or 
 
 generating a graphical depiction of the estimated Hlog function based on the plurality of generated attenuation data points. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The DSL system estimator of  claim 7 , wherein the estimating means configured to estimate the Hlog function of the line further comprises:
 means for prompting the DSL system to generate operational data, wherein prompting the DSL system to generate operational data comprises:
 setting an operational mode for the DSL system based on one or more of the model parameters; and 
 operating the DSL system using the set operational mode to generate the operational data; 
 
 means for collecting the generated operational data; 
 means for using the collected operational data to generate one or more model parameter values; and 
 means for recording or storing one or more of the generated model parameter values in a memory, wherein Hlog is a model parameter. 
 
     
     
       13. A computer program product comprising a machine readable medium upon which is stored instructions for computing the mean-square-error (MSE) noise of a line in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system, the instructions comprising:
 estimating the Hlog function of the line; 
 obtaining the power spectral density (PSD) function of the line; 
 obtaining the signal to noise ratio (SNR) function of the line; 
 computing the MSE noise by subtracting the SNR from the sum of the PSD and Hlog; and 
 storing or recording the computed MSE noise in a memory. 
 
     
     
       14. The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the SNR function is directly reported. 
     
     
       15. The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the SNR function is computed based on at least one of the following:
 reported past bit distributions; 
 reported current bit distributions; 
 an initial PSD; 
 an Hlog function; or 
 quiet line noise (QLN). 
 
     
     
       16. The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein obtaining the PSD function comprises estimating a PSD function or collecting a reported PSD function. 
     
     
       17. The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein estimating the Hlog function of the line comprises:
 generating a plurality of attenuation data points, wherein each attenuation data point corresponds to a different frequency carrier mask and comprises an attenuation value, further wherein generating a single attenuation data point comprises:
 setting a data-bearing frequency carrier mask; 
 transmitting data using one or more frequencies in the carrier mask; 
 receiving an attenuation value for the transmitted data; and 
 plotting the attenuation value; and 
 
 performing at least one of the following:
 storing at least one of the following:
 each generated attenuation data point; or 
 each plotted attenuation values; or 
 
 
 generating a graphical depiction of the estimated Hlog function based on the plurality of generated attenuation data points. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein estimating the Hlog function of the line comprises:
 prompting the DSL system to generate operational data, wherein prompting the DSL system to generate operational data comprises:
 setting an operational mode for the DSL system based on one or more of the model parameters; and 
 operating the DSL system using the set operational mode to generate the operational data; 
 
 collecting the generated operational data; 
 using the collected operational data to generate one or more model parameter values; and 
 recording or storing one or more of the generated model parameter values in a memory, wherein Hlog is a model parameter.